Game controller for a mobile device with extended bumper button

Abstract

A game controller for a mobile device that includes a first handle, a first bumper, and a first switch. The first handle is configured to contact and support a mobile device. The first bumper is coupled to the first handle. The first bumper is configured to accept touch inputs. The first bumper includes a pivot rod at a first end of the first bumper that is configured to engage a track slot of the first handle. The pivot rod is configured to rotate within the track slot and to translate within the track slot. The first bumper further includes a plunger at a first-span distance from the pivot rod. The first switch is within the first handle and is configured to be activated by touch inputs to the first bumper. The plunger of the first bumper is configured to contact and impart a force to the first switch.

We claim: 
     
       1. A game controller for a mobile device, the game controller comprising:
 a first handle configured to contact and support a mobile device; 
 a first bumper coupled to the first handle, the first bumper configured to accept touch inputs from a user, the first bumper including a pivot rod at a first end of the first bumper and configured to engage a track slot of the first handle, the pivot rod configured to rotate within the track slot and to translate within the track slot, the first bumper further including a plunger at a first-span distance from the pivot rod; and 
 a first switch within the first handle, the first switch configured to be activated by touch inputs to the first bumper, the plunger of the first bumper configured to contact and impart a force to the first switch. 
 
     
     
       2. The game controller of  claim 1 , in which the first bumper is coupled to the first handle at an outer edge of a main body portion of the first handle. 
     
     
       3. The game controller of  claim 1 , in which the first handle comprises a user-accessible, first hardware interface on a main body portion of the first handle configured to accept touch inputs. 
     
     
       4. The game controller of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bridge extending from a main body portion of the first handle; and 
 a second handle configured to contact and support a mobile device, the bridge extending from a main body portion of the second handle and coupling the second handle to the first handle. 
 
     
     
       5. The game controller of  claim 1 , in which the plunger of the first bumper is configured to contact the first switch at a contact angle, a centerline of the plunger of the first bumper being offset from a centerline of the first switch by the contact angle. 
     
     
       6. The game controller of  claim 4 , further comprising a second bumper coupled to the second handle at an outer edge of the main body portion of the second handle, the second bumper configured to accept touch inputs from a user, the second bumper including a pivot rod at a first end of the second bumper and configured to engage a track slot of the second handle, the pivot rod of the second bumper configured to rotate within the track slot of the second handle and to translate within the track slot the second handle, the second bumper further including a plunger at a first-span distance of the second bumper from the pivot rod of the second bumper. 
     
     
       7. The game controller of  claim 4 , in which the second handle comprises a user-accessible, second hardware interface on the main body portion of the second handle and configured to accept touch inputs. 
     
     
       8. The game controller of  claim 4 , in which the bridge is in sliding engagement with the first handle and the second handle. 
     
     
       9. A game controller for a mobile device, the game controller comprising:
 a first handle configured to couple to a mobile device; 
 a first bumper coupled to the first handle, the first bumper configured to accept touch inputs from a user, the first bumper coupled to the first handle through a dual-action coupling, the dual-action coupling configured to both rotate and translate relative to the first handle, the first bumper further including a plunger at a first-span distance from the dual-action coupling; and 
 a first switch within the first handle, the first switch configured to be activated and deactivated by touch inputs to the first bumper, the plunger of the first bumper being configured to contact and impart a force to the first switch. 
 
     
     
       10. The game controller of  claim 9 , in which the first bumper is coupled to the first handle at an outer edge of a main body portion of the first handle. 
     
     
       11. The game controller of  claim 9 , in which the first handle comprises a user-accessible, first hardware interface on a main body portion of the first handle configured to accept touch inputs. 
     
     
       12. The game controller of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a bridge extending from a main body portion of the first handle; and 
 a second handle configured to couple to a mobile device, the bridge extending from a main body portion of the second handle and coupling the second handle to the first handle. 
 
     
     
       13. The game controller of  claim 12 , further comprising a second bumper coupled to the second handle at an outer edge of the main body portion of the second handle, the second bumper configured to accept touch inputs from a user, the second bumper including a pivot rod at a first end of the second bumper and configured to engage a track slot of the second handle, the pivot rod of the second bumper configured to rotate within the track slot of the second handle and to translate within the track slot the second handle, the second bumper further including a plunger at a first-span distance of the second bumper from the pivot rod of the second bumper. 
     
     
       14. The game controller of  claim 12 , in which the second handle comprises a user-accessible, second hardware interface on the main body portion of the second handle configured to accept touch inputs. 
     
     
       15. The game controller of  claim 12 , in which the bridge is in sliding engagement with the first handle and the second handle.